As a coin, it’s stunning, with a long ownership history, a bold
strike, hints of luster and with great surface quality. Its quality is
such that it was used as a plate coin in Sylvester S. Crosby’s seminal
work Early Coins of America and in Sydney Noe’s standard
reference on the series.

In a 1973 offering, Stack’s wrote that the piece was “the finest Oak
Tree Shilling that it has ever been our privilege to offer, and one of
the finest extant, if not the finest. Original mint luster toning to a
lovely blue iridescence. As perfectly centered as these pieces come,
with sharp striking and a full sharp tree. Another true prize. UNCIRCULATED.”

It’s long been considered among the finest of all Oak Tree
shillings, and the current catalog entry notes that it has also
historically been considered Choice Uncirculated. The entry states,
“Grades can be argued about, but quality cannot,” describing it as “an
essentially perfect coin.”

How does the PCGS assessment of AU-58+ impact our perception of the
coin?

Does a non-Mint State grade affect its value when historically its
quality has been validated by the experts in the series?

Coins like this provide a reminder that numerical grades are a
single number meant to encapsulate numerous elements of a coin’s
appeal in the marketplace. While the grade may be debated for
generations to come, standards of quality tend to remain universal

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.